suren



(No Model.) 2 sneets-snet 1.

' N. H. SUREN.

SIGNAL BOX.

Patented Sept. 10, 1895.

Witmaaoey )Y 0% W AN DREW B.GRAHAM. PNOTD'UTHD.WASHINGTON.D C.

(No Model.) Sheets-Sheet 2.

N. H. SUREN.

No 546mm Patented Sep t. 10,1895.

' 1 III... m L

"'"I IIIIIIIIIII r I Q *m saw-4 a M 1,0 vtlf/gm mm NATHAN I-I. SUREN, OFNEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE GAMEVVELL FIRE-ALARM TELEGRAPH COMPANY,OF SAME PLACE.

SIG NA L -B ox.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 546,036, datedSeptember 10, 1895. Application filed August 22, 1893- SerialNo.483,739. (N0 model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NATHAN H. SUREN, a citiizen of the United States,residing in the city of New York, county and State of New York, haveinvented a certain new and useful Improvement in Signal-Boxes, of whichthe following is a specification.

The object I'have in view is to produce an eifective switch for cuttingout the operative elements of signal-boxes which will combine in asingle device all the functions of the doorand-wheelmovement switchesheretofore employed. The invention is more especially applicable tofire-alarm signal-boxes, although it may be applied to signal boxes usedfor other purposes.

In carrying out my invention in its application to a fire-alarmsignal-box I connect all the elements of the box-viz., thecircuitbreaking pens, the non'interfering magnet, the bell-magnet, andthe test-switchin a local circuit or loop, which is thrown into and outof the main line by the cut-out switch. This cut-out switch requires forits operation the joint action, simultaneously or successively applied,of the door of the box and the clock -movement which rotates thecircuitbreaking wheel. It is composed of a pivoted base-piece carryingthe two terminals of the local circuit, which run to insulatedcontactpoints upon such base-piece, and also carrying two otherinsulated contact-points alternating in arrangement with thelocal-circuit contacts and connected together electrically by aconductor of ample current-carrying capacity. Through the short circuitformed by these connected contacts the line-current passes when thelocal circuit or loop is cut out by the switch, and hence these contactsI will distinguish from thelocal-circuit contacts by calling them theshort-circuit contacts. Upon the pivoted base-piece and insulatedtherefrom are two parallel switch arms. These are pivoted to thebase-piece and are connected together by a bar of insulating material,so as to move together. 7 pivots of these switch-arms, andhence the armsthemselves, are connected with the line and form the terminals at thebox of the mainline circuit. The free ends of the switcharms play overthe local-circuit and short-cir- The insulated cuit contacts beforereferred to. One of the pivoted switch-arms is extended beyondthebase-piece and engages with a wedge or inclined surface carried by aspring-stud which is pushed inwardly when the door of the box isclosed." The effect onthe switch-arms when the spring-stud is pushed inby closing the door of the box is to tend to move such switcharms in thedirection to bring them into connection with the short-circuit contacts.If the switch-arms are on the local-circuit contacts and the pivotedbase-piece is free to move, the inward movement of the springstudwillswing the base-piece on its pivot without shifting the. switch-arms overthe contact-points; but if the pivoted base-piece is held by thewheel-movement, and thus prevented from swinging on its pivot, thepushing in of the spring-stud will shift the switch-arms on thecontacts. A pin on the wheel-movement engages with a pawl on the pivotedbase-piece and holds it from swinging on its pivot, or, if already swungin one direction by the spring door-stud, catches it and draws it in theopposite direction, moving the contacts on the base-piece under theswitcharms, if such arms are held by the Wedge surface of the springdoor-stud. The base-piece is freed from the wheel-movement while thelatter is running by a stationary inclined pin, which moves the pawl outofengagement with the pin on the wheel-movement when the latter startsto run, and hence the base-piece is held by the Wheel movement only inits position of rest. Consequently the cut-out switch will be operatedto cut out the localcircuit or loop by either the stopping of thewheel-movement or by the closing of the'box-door, provided the switch isheld by the spring dooroperated stud or by the pin on thewheel-movement. In other words, the operation of the cut-out switchrequires the joint action of the door and wheel-move1nent, appliedeither successively or simultaneously. Another element in the operationof the switchisa spring connecting the switch-arms and base-piece andtending to draw the'arms over the localcircuit contacts and away fromthe short-circuit contacts. This spring acts to operate the switch andto throw the local or box circuit into the line when the switch-arms arerelCO leased from the spring-studi. e., when the l k and theshort-circuitcontacts Z Z, the latter box-door is opened-if thebase-piece is held by the wheel-movement. This spring also prevents thespring-stud from moving the switch-arms across the contacts when thebasepiece is not held by the wheel-movement and causes it to swing thebase-piece on its pivot, although the friction opposing the movement ofthe switch-arms could be made sufficient for this latter purpose. Thespring-stud, which is pushed inwardly by the closing of the box-door andhas a wedge surface engaging the extended end of one of the switcharms,is the same spring-stud which is usually employed to restore thearmature of the noninterfering magnet to the field of that magnet. Itperforms that function in the box illustrated, in addition to itsfunction in connection with the cut-out switch. Then the spring-stud isreleased by the opening of the door and springs outwardly, it firstreleases the switch-arm and then the armature of the non-interferingmagnet, so that such magnet Will be thrown into the main circuit andwill attract its armature before it can fall out of the magnetic field.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, Figure 1 isa View,partly in diagram, illustrating the principal elements of a signal-boxand their connection with my cutout switch; Fig. 2, a view, partly insection, showing the relation of the spring-stud to the door of the box,the switch-arm, and the armature of the non-interfering magnet; and Fig.3, an enlarged view of the cut-out switch and the circuit-wiresconnected thereto.

A is the main wheel of the clock-movement which turns thecircuit-breaking wheel 13, upon which bear the contact-pens a a. Thewheel A carries pins bl) at diametrically-opposite points. This wheelmakes a half-revolution each time the box is pulled.

0 represents the bell-magnet,D the non-interfering magnet, and c thearmature of the latter magnet.

E E are the arms of the test-switch. These are parallel arms connectedtogether by a bar (Z of insulating material and playing at their freeends across two contacts 6 e.

F is a sliding stud which is thrown outwardly bya spring and is pushedinwardly by a projection on the box-door G. The binding-posts andconnected plates for the ends of the line-wire are shown at H H.

I is the base-piece of the cut-out switch. It has an L shape and ispivoted to the case at the junction of its vertical and horizontal armsby the screwf. The vertical arm of the pivoted basepicce I is faced witha plate f of insulating material, upon which are pivotedtheparallelswitch-arms K K, connected by a bar of insulating material. Theswitcharm K is extended beyond the base-piece and has an end h ofinsulating material, which engages with a wedge 2, carried by thespringstud F. The insulating-plate f" of the basepiece also carries thelocal-circuit contacts being connected together electrically around theintermediate local-circuit contact 7rby a conductor of amplecurrent-carrying capacity. The barg connecting the switch-arms K K isconnected with a spiral spring m, whose other end is fastened to an armm from the basepiece I. The spring 0% tends to draw the switch-arms awayfrom the short-circuit contacts Z Z and upon the local-circuit contacts7s 7r. The horizontal arm of the base-pieceI has hanging from it a pawlL, having a beveled end, which is thrown into the path of the pins 1) bon the main wheel A bya leaf-spring n. hen the wheel-movement of the boxcomes to the position of rest, the pawl L is held by one of the pins 1)bin the position shown in Fig. 1. The beveled end of the pawl rests atsuch times on a stationary pin 0, secured to the case, which pin forcesthe pawl back away from the pin on the main wheel when that wheel startsto rotate and releases the base-piece, which remains free from the mainwheel until that wheel again approaches the end of its movement.

The circuit connections are as follows: The main circuit within the boxis formed by wires 1 and 2, which respectively connect the lineposts HII with the switch-arms K K. The local box-circuit or loop begins at thecontacts 7c 7r. From 70 a wire 3 runs to the bell magnet C. The otherend of the wire of the bell-magnet is connected by a wire 4 with thecoils of the non-interfering magnet D, from the other end of which runsa wire 5 to the contact-pen a. From contact-pen a a wire 6 extends tothe contact-plate of the test-switch, and from the arm E of thetest-switch a wire 7 runs to the other local-circuit contact 70. Theline-post H is connected with the arm F. of the test-switch by a wire 8,and the outer contact E of the test-switch is connected with the wire 4:between the bell-magnet and noninterfering magnet by the wire 9. InFig. 1. the switch is shown in the position when the door of the box isclosed and the wheel-move ment is at resti. a, the normal position ofthe parts when the box is not opened or operating. In this position the1ine-current passes from post II through wire 1, arm K, connectedcontacts I Z, arm K, and wire 2 to post II. The local box-circuit orloop is entirely cut out. A person now approaches the box to send in asignal. IIe first opens the door. This releases the stud F, whichsprings outwardly, releasing the switch-arms, which are drawn to theright by the spring m and move the switch-arms onto the local-circuitcontacts 7c 7r, throwing the local circuit into the line. The pull ofthe box is then operated. This starts the wheel-movement and the pin onthe main Wheel passes the pawl on the switch base-piece, releasing it.The door of the box may then be shut while the box is running. Theeffect will be to swing the base-piece of the switch on its pivot, butnot to shift the switch or interfere with the signal.

When the main wheel approaches the end of its movement, oneof its pins bb will catch the pawl L and draw it downward by shifting the switch backagain to its normalposition and cutting out the local circuit. If theboxdoor is kept open while the wheel-movement is running, the pin on themain wheel will catch the pawl and hold it, but will not shift theswitch. This will then be accomplished by the shutting of the door,which will force the switch-arms to the left. WVhile the box is inoperation sending in a signal the current takes the following path: fromH through 1, K, 7s, 3, O, 4, D, 5, Ct,6t', 6, e, E, 7, K, and 2 to II.If it is desired to test the box, the door of the box is first opened,throwing the 10- cal circuit, including the test-switch, into the line,and the test-switch is then swung to the left, bringing E upon e and Eupon c. This produces two circuitsthrough the box, one through thecontact-pens and non-interfering magnet and the other through thebellmagnet, the latter being constantly closed and the former beingbroken at the contact-pens when the box is operated. The first of thesecircuits is from H bid 8, E, e, 6, a, a, 5, D, 4, 9, e, E, 7, 70, K, and2to II. The second of these circuits is from H 'UiCt 1, K, 70, 3, O, 4,9, e, E, 7, 70', K, and 2 to H. This box being pulled the first of thesecircuits will be broken at the contact-pens in accordance with thesignal which the circuit-breakin g wheel is con structed to transmit.The line-circuit will not be broken, however, since that is keptconstantly closed by the second circuit described, and hence no effectwill be produced upon theline. The effect will be purelya local one andwill cause the bell in the box to sound the box-signal, due to the factthat when both circuits are closed the bell-magnet will not receivecurrent enough to hold its armature, such current being shunted awayfrom it by the lower resistance of the non-interfering magnet, and whenthe contact-pens again break the circuit in which they are located thewhole current will pass through the bellmagnet, causing it toattract itsarmature and strike the bell. This method of testing the box formsnopart of the present invention, except so far as the testing-switch iscombined with the cut-out switch.

Another advantage arising from the fact that my cut-out switch throwsthe local circuit into the line by the opening of the box-door is thatit can be used on a box having a noninterfering magnet whose armaturefalls out of the magnetic field unless held by the closed door or by thecurrent. The opening of the door switches the current through thenon-interfering magnet before the armature falls away from the magnet. Aswitch operated wholly by the wheel-movement would not accomplish thisend.

hat I claim is 1. In a signal box, acut-out switch composed of twomechanically co-acting movable parts,

in combination with means for moving one of such parts by the stoppingof the wheel movement of the box and means for moving the other of suchparts by the closing of the box door, whereby the switch is controlledby the combined action of the wheel movement and the door substantiallyas set forth.

2. In a signal box, a cut-out switch having as one element a movablebase-piece carrying contacts and. having as its second element movableswitch'arms which play over such contacts, in combination with a deviceon the wheel movement for moving one of such switch elements as thewheel movement approaches the. point of stopping and holding such switchelement while the wheel movement is at rest, and a device operated byclosing the door for moving the other switch element and holding itwhile} the door remains closed, substantially as set forth. I

3. In a signal box, a cut-out switch having independently movable andmechanically coacting contacts and switch arms, comprising the twoelements of the switch devices operated by the door and wheel movementengaging the two elements of the switch, and a spring moving the switcharms in one direction relative to the contacts, substantially as setforth.

4. In a signal box, the combination with the contact pens and thenon-interfering magnet having an armature adapted to fall out of thefield of the magnet, of a cut-out switch, and a stud moved in onedirection by closing the box door and in the other direction by aspring, such stud having wedge surfaces which control the switch and thenon-interfering armature, substantially as set forth.

5. In a signal box, the combination with the contact pens and thenon-interfering magnet having an armature adapted to fall out of thefield of the magnet, of acut-out switch, astud moved in one direction byclosing the box door and in the other direction by a spring, such studhaving wedge surfaces which control the switch and the non-interferingarmature, and a connection between the switch and wheel movement alsocontrolling the switch, substantially as set forth.

6. In a signal box, a cut-out switch having a pivoted base-piececarrying the local-circuit and short-circuit contacts, and provided withswitch arms pivoted upon the base-piece and connected with the lineterminals, in combination with a spring connecting the switch arms andbase-piece and acting to move the switch arms onto the local-circuitcontacts, a wedge surface moved by the door and engaging the switcharms, and pins on the wheel movement engaging the base-piece,substantially as set forth.

7. In a signal box, the combination with the cut-out switch, having apawl with beveled end for engaging the wheel movement, of a stationarybeveled pin moving the pawl out of engagement with the wheel movementwhen the latter is running, substantially as and base-piece, and thedoor-stud engaging IO set forth. the switch arms, substantially as setforth.

8. In a signal box, the combination With the This specification signedand witnessed this pivoted L-shaped base-piece, carrying con- 16th dayof August, 1893. tacts, the switch arms pivoted on the basepiece, thepawl on the base-piece engaging NATHAN H. SUREN.

pins on the wheel movement, the stationary Witnesses: pin releasing thepawl from the Wheel move- W. PELZER, ment, the spring connecting theswitch arms NORRIS A. CLARK.

